Product Description

Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Peter Fonda, Donal Logue, Sam ElliottDirector: Mark Steven Johnson

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4621 in DVD
• Brand: Blu-ray Action & Adventure
• Released on: 2007-07-02
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .26 pounds
• Running time: 123 minutes

Amazon.co.uk
Once intended as a feature for Johnny Depp, the long-germinating film adaptation of Marvel Comics' cult title Ghost Rider stars Nicolas Cage as motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who transforms into a skull-faced angel of vengeance to battle the forces of evil. Though perhaps a bit mature for the role, Cage brings a degree of humour to the outrageous proceedings; he's well matched by the Easy Rider himself Peter Fonda, amusingly cast as Mephistopheles, the demon with whom Blaze strikes a bargain to save his father, and in turn, causes his transformation into Ghost Rider. Wes Bentley is also fine as Blackheart, the rebellious offspring of Mephistopheles, and Blaze's chief opponent in the film. They're joined by a solid supporting cast which includes Donal Logue, Eva Mendes and Sam Elliott, but their participation and a relentless barrage of CGI effects can't hide the fact that the story itself, though largely faithful to its comic origins, is rife with clichéd characterisations and B-movie dialogue. Fans of the venerable title may cry foul over this adaptation (as they did over helmer Mark Steven Johnson's previous comic-to-movie feature, Daredevil), but less stringent viewers may enjoy the fiery visuals and Cage's typically quirky performance. --Paul Gaita

Synopsis
The prophetically named Johnny Blaze and his father perform death-defying stunts in a carnival, but the real danger to his dad's life is the cancer growing within his dying body. To save him, Johnny makes a deal with Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda, EASY RIDER) and sacrifices his soul. When his father is killed mid-stunt, Johnny runs away, leaving behind his grief and a young love named Roxanne. Years later, Johnny (Nicolas Cage, WORLD TRADE CENTER) is the most famous rider in the country. Despite his daredevil tendencies, Johnny is a different man when he’s not riding his bike. Though he wears leather jackets and pants, he prefers jelly beans to Jim Beam while listening to the Carpenters. Years have passed since Johnny has seen the love of his life, but he still carries a torch for Roxanne (Eva Mendes, HITCH). When he sees her after a stunt, he tries to regain her love and trust. But it’s time for the devil to take his due as he brings Johnny into an epic battle with Blackheart (Wes Bentley, AMERICAN BEAUTY). In the presence of evil, Johnny transforms into a super-strong skeleton with a flaming skull who has the power to defeat Blackheart and his minions. As Johnny, Cage plays a cross between his Elvis devotee in WILD AT HEART and the sensitive he-man in CON AIR. The evil Mephistopheles is Fonda's most memorable role since his Oscar-nominated turn in ULEE'S GOLD, and this film provides an opportunity for him to return to the spotlight. Director Mark Steven Johnson (DAREDEVIL) provides a film driven by both humour and action. This extended edition of the film has a longer running time than the theatrical version.

Customer Reviews

MARVEL-ous!
Expected nothing , got loads from this film! My hubby generally dislikes the comic-book genre but he loved this too. Nic Cage is a wee bit Elvisy at times but that soon changes when he becomes.....oh, no! I mustn't spoil it! We loved the kitchy cheesiness and giggled all the way through. Thouroughly entertaining movie...fun,fun,fun!. Worth watching just for the gorgeous Eva Mendes who is as red-hot as the special effects!

ghost rider ignites the screen
Most reviews of this film have been apathetic at best but i'd be inclined to be a little more generous.
Compared to some of Cage's recent efforts it's a step up. He has a passion for this comic, which he mentions in interview, he even has a tattoo of it and this enthusiasm comes through in his performance. Graphic novel anoraks will tell you that this is one of the most faithful adaptations to screen yet, they'll probably also tell you that having eye-candy like Eva Mendes in the film didn't do it any harm either...and they'd be right.
Mark Steven Johnson (also director of Daredevil) has done a good job with the adaptation, but having watched either Daredevil or Ghost Rider it's obvious that dialog isn't his strong point. Despite Cage's passion for the role, if you're expecting academy award winning acting from this flick, you're gonna be sorely disappointed. That said, Peter Fonda is very well cast as Mephistopholes and Wes Bentley does a good job at playing the bad-guy particularly in comparison to his slightly wet counter-parts.
The order of the day then; sit back, disengage the brain and enjoy the action as Ghost Rider literally ignites the screen with perpetual flames, even when not literal the fire imagery is ever present.
On Blu ray this looks even sharper than in the cinema, it really is stunning.
The extended cut runs for about an extra 13 minutes, and there are some nice featurettes on the extras disc. On the whole, a worthwhile purchase if you're a Marvel fan, or if you just fancy a good action flick.

Nicolas Cage, I misjudged you
I'm as guilty as anyone of letting my preconceived ideas about an actor or actress put me off watching a film on general release, and though Nicolas Cage is a reasonably competent actor (about half of the time), at the time I pictured him in my head as Ghost Rider and thought, "Hell no". But I wish I'd given him a chance now, as the other day, and with nothing else on television, I gave it a try and he was really good in it.

The graphics for this film are so good I have to use clichés to describe them - the bike, the flaming skull, they rock. They look awesome. The story is better than I thought it was going to be, and it doesn't dwell too much on the necessity of Blaze's inner pain, as we've come to see again and again in 21st C superhero / antihero films. Cage does a great job of conveying a depth to the character that negates the need for tedious introspection padding out the cool bits. Well, okay, the fight scenes I do have to complain about, as they're over too quick and lack the imagination you're seeing at the same time in the graphics - so your first thought is, this looks fantastic, but underneath you're wondering, is that it? The best bits of this film are, quite understandably, the parts with the flaming bike and the equally hot Eva Mendes, but for two hours of escapism, there's enough enjoyment in this film not to have to mind too much about the lack of any depth in the plot. If you're getting it, get it on Blu-ray, as it's one of those films that paying more for in high definition will really pay off.